Crystal:
I found this a while back and was thinking about making one but never got around to it. Possible noise maker for the Flare group to make?

Dean

A thunder tube is a very curious hand-held percussion toy thatrecreates the sound of thunder when you shake it. Depending upon howyou move the thunder tube, you can create unusual and weird sounds,making it a very creative device to use in musical and soundperformances.

A thunder tube consists of a cylinder that resonates with a soundmimicking thunder, thanks to a drum head attached to one end of thetube and an 18 inch metal spring that is attached to the drum head'scenter. Thunder tubes trace their roots to American Indian music inwhich they were used with drums, rain sticks and flutes to recreatethe sound and motion of a sudden storm.

Thunder tubes are enjoyed by children and musicians of all ages, butthey can cost upwards of $25 at the retail store. Consider making it afamily arts and crafts project on a rainy day to make your own thundertubes.

1. Start collecting the cardboard tubes that come with paper towelrolls and the wire spring from an old spiral bound notebook. 2. Using scissors, cut a 12-inch square of heavy aluminum craftsheet metal into small pieces of various sizes. Pull a rubber balloonover one end of your cardboard paper towel tube. Stand your tubeupright over a piece of cardboard and trace the outline of the tube'send, cutting out this circle and poking a small hole in the center ofthe circle through which you attach the end of the wire spring. 3. Now fill your cardboard tube halfway full with your cut aluminumpieces, sealing the end of the tube by attaching the cardboard circleand hanging wire spring with glue and allowing it to dry for severalhours or overnight to make sure the circle is securely attached.

4. You may want to paint your thunder tube or add assorted decalsor sparking sequins to decorate it. Now you are ready to make somenoise. Hold the thunder tube in one hand so that the spring is hangingdownwards. Now shake or roll the tube in a variety of directions. Thiswill cause the spring inside to vibrate against the aluminum piecesfilling the tube, a sound that will transfer to the balloon coveringat the opposite end of the tube.

The sounds that you create using your homemade thunder tube will besimilar to the crackling and roaring of a summer thunderstorm. Havefun seeing how many different and unique sounds you can create byshaking, rattling and rolling your thunder tube.

cavfamily:
This sounds fun to make! I agree - a project for the flare team to try!